Marcelo Says He Believes Neymar Will Play for Real Madrid Amid Transfer Rumours

Real Madrid defender Marcelo said on Sunday that he believes Neymar will play for the club one day, amid speculation the Brazilian could leave Paris Saint-Germain and move to the Santiago Bernabeu.

“I think Neymar will play for Real Madrid one day. Would Neymar fit at Real Madrid? He would fit, for sure. It would be great if he came to Real Madrid. In my opinion the great players have to play at this club,” Marcelo told Esporte Interativo (h/t Marca‘s Virtudes Sanchez).

Neymarleft Real Madrid’s rivals Barcelona in the summer to joinPSGand has been a huge hit at the French capital. The Brazilian has 19 goals and 11 assists in 18Ligue1 starts to help his side top the table.

Optacompared his form to his time at Barcelona:

OptaJean @OptaJean

30 – Neymar is involved in 30 goals after only 18 Ligue 1 games played – he reached this milestone on his 37th Liga game with Barcelona. Tornado. https://t.co/EEbl121TTr

2018-2-10 17:37:54

However, there have been problems forNeymaras he has clashed with team-mateEdinsonCavaniand was booed by his own supporters after refusing to allow the Uruguayan to take a penalty in January. HadCavaniscored the spot-kick, he would have become the club’s record goalscorer, perMetro‘sCoral Barry.

PSGmidfielder AdrienRabiothas said thatNeymar“receives certain privileges” but added that he is not jealous of his team-mate, perMarca.

Neymaris paid substantially more than anyPSGplayer, according toL’Equipe(via Get French Football News):

However,Neymar’s relationship with his team-mates does appear to have improved, and he may have learned fromCavani, according to ESPN FC’s Jonathan Johnson:

Jonathan Johnson @Jon_LeGossip

People can say what they like but IMO Neymar has learned a bit from Edinson Cavani over the past few weeks. The Brazilian superstar seems to recognise the occasional importance of the collective over the individual better now. Great news &amp; maybe the biggest win today. #PSGMHSC

2018-1-27 18:22:33

Meanwhile, Real Madrid want to signNeymarand are willing to spend big to land him in the summer, according toMarca‘sCarlosCarpio.

However,PSG President Nasser Al-Khelaifi is adamant thatNeymarwill not leave the club. Per Canal+ (h/tFootballEspana), he said: “There’s no chance of him leaving at the end of this season, not 100 per cent, not even 2,000 per cent.”

Neymaris set to face Real Madrid withPSGin the 2018UEFAChampions League last 16, with the first leg at the SantiagoBernabeuon Wednesday. There will be huge pressure onNeymarto deliver against the European Cup holders, as his prime reason for leaving Barcelona appeared to be his desire to step out of Lionel Messi’s shadow and lead his own team to glory.

The outcome of the match between the two sides may have ramifications forNeymar’s future. The Champions League represents Real Madrid’s only remaining realistic hope of silverware this season. If they were knocked out, the defeat may intensify their efforts to spend big this summer, withNeymarseemingly already a top target.